Post Surgical Rehabilitation in Alton, IL. Surgery, whether elective or required, has a profound impact on your body. While the surgery is intended to benefit you, its immediate affect can affect your mobility and movement health. That’s when we step in. Axes Physical Therapy, a locally owned and operated practice in Alton, IL, is committed to guiding you through your post surgical rehabilitation journey with research-driven treatment plans customized for your needs.
We only have one goal: to help Alton, IL residents who receive surgery recover effectively, ensuring you can get back to the activities you enjoy. So, whether or not you’ve newly undergone surgery or are preparing for one, trust Axes in Alton, IL with your post surgical rehabilitation.
Get back to the activities you love most with Axes Physical Therapy, where your health is our priority. Make an appointment online or ring up the Axes location closest to you today.
Why You Need Physical Therapy in Alton, IL
Surgery is traumatic to the body as, even though it’s intended to assist you long-term, it’s still causing tears and incisions in several tissues. This trauma to the body is a necessary part of the surgical process, and the effectiveness of surgery often relies on the body’s capacity to adjust to these changes over time. Remaining on bed rest for too long can cause problems, and being active after surgery helps your muscles remain robust and keeps your body in good shape. Post surgical rehabilitation with a professional physical therapist in Alton, IL is often needed to ensure your surgery is a complete success.
Helps Improve Power, Mobility, and Flexibility
One advantage of post-surgical rehabilitation through physical therapy is its capability to improve several aspects crucial for a fruitful recovery:
- Strength — Physical therapy emphasizes specific exercises and techniques to restore muscle strength in areas where the muscle was diminished. Whether it’s a specific joint, muscle group, or particular body part, our knowledgeable Alton, IL physical therapists customize exercises to improve your strength.
- Mobility — After surgery, regaining the ability to move with ease and without pain is crucial. Physical therapy emphasizes mobility exercises that work to reclaim your range of motion. This is especially important for surgeries involving joints, as it enables you to recover your ability to flex, stretch, and move these areas without problem.
- Flexibility — Surgery can cause stiff or inflexible soft tissues. Physical therapy includes several stretching exercises crafted to enhance your flexibility. These exercises promote more flexibility, which is vital for reducing post-operative discomfort and ensuring a smoother recovery process.
Fast-tracking the Recovery Process
Post-surgical rehabilitation through physical therapy can assist you get back to your best you faster. Here’s how:
- Targeted Exercise Programs — Physical therapists develop customized exercise programs geared to your specific surgery, body, and individual needs. These exercises are structured to optimize your recovery by progressing in difficulty and intensity.
- Progressive Treatment — Your physical therapist will observe your progress meticulously and implement necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. This ensures that you are continually challenged without overexerting yourself, allowing for continuous, safe, and efficient recovery.
- Boosted Circulation — Physical therapy boosts blood flow to the surgical site and across your body. This blood delivers crucial nutrients and oxygen to the healing tissues, fast-tracking the body’s organic healing processes.
- Reduction in Swelling — Swelling is a common post-surgery issue, and excessive swelling can slow down healing. Physical therapy techniques, including manual therapies and specific exercises, can help diminish swelling and inflammation, giving relief and expediting recovery.
Ensuring Proper Healing and Preventing Complications
Effective post surgical rehabilitation through physical therapy is crucial in ensuring that the healing process advances smoothly and without complications. Here’s how physical therapy in St. Louis adds to a smoother recovery:
- Monitoring Surgical Site — Physical therapists meticulously monitor the surgical site, keeping an eye out for any signs of complications or issues. This preventive approach allows for early detection and intervention, lowering the risk of further problems.
- Tailored Rehabilitation — Axes’ physical therapy programs in Alton, IL are custom-made based on the type of surgery you’ve undergone. Your rehabilitation plan is adapted to address the unique needs and challenges related to your surgery.
- Preventing Muscle Atrophy — After surgery, muscles surrounding the affected area can deteriorate due to inactivity. Physical therapy includes exercises designed for avoiding muscle atrophy and preserving muscle tone. This not just backs up the healing process but also lessens the risk of muscle-related issues occurring down the road.
- Enhancing Surgical Outcomes — Adequate rehabilitation ensures that any changes or repairs made during surgery recover optimally. Physical therapy techniques are formulated to support the correct alignment and function of the surgical site, lowering the likelihood of complications or the need for further procedures.
Manage Pain Effectively
Managing pain and inflammation is a vital aspect of post surgical recovery. Physical therapy offers a opioid-free approach to pain management with numerous advantages:
- Targeted Pain Relief — Physical therapists utilize numerous techniques to alleviate pain, including manual therapy, specialized exercises, and modalities like warm and cool therapy. These methods are especially tailored to tackle pain at the surgical site, providing potent relief.
- Decreased Opioid Use — The opioid epidemic is a pressing problem in healthcare. Physical therapy can markedly reduce the need for opioid medications by addressing the root cause of the pain. This approach not only avoids opioid-related side effects but also lowers the risk of dependence. According to the CDC, nonopioid therapies may actually work better than opioids for some conditions.
- Holistic Pain Management — Physical therapy takes a comprehensive approach to pain management. It not only focuses on direct pain relief but also works towards enhancing overall musculoskeletal function and dealing with the underlying issues behind the pain. This results in a wider-ranging and enduring reduction in pain.
Boosting Psychological Well-being Through Exercise
Surgery puts stress on our minds as well as our bodies. You have to deal with apprehension of the surgery itself, a sense of loss of control, and maybe even financial stress or body image concerns. Here’s how activity-focused rehabilitation contributes to enhanced mental health following surgery:
- Release of Endorphins and Reduction of Anxiety — Exercise, a key component of physical therapy, stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are organic substances in the body that are often referred to as “feel-good” hormones. They create a sense of well-being and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Feeling of Accomplishment — As you progress through your physical therapy program, you often experience a sense of achievement with each milestone you pass. Whether it’s reclaiming movement, strength, ability to perform daily tasks autonomously, or returning to one of your favorite activities, these achievements enhance confidence and self-esteem.
- Better Sleep Quality — Staying active also contributes to better sleep quality. Patients who participate in structured exercise programs often report improved sleep patterns, which are essential for overall well-being and recovery.
Who Needs Post-Surgery Rehabilitation in Alton, IL?
Physical therapy is often recommended after many types of surgery in Alton, IL:
- Ligament Reconstruction —
Ligament reconstruction surgery is conducted to repair damaged ligaments, often seen in injuries to the knee or shoulder. Physical therapy is integral in assisting you regain mobility and strength in the affected joint after such surgeries. Therapists design rehabilitation programs specifically designed to the exact ligament repaired, focusing on exercises that gradually restore function and stability.
- Joint Replacement —
Joint replacement surgeries, such as knee, hip, or shoulder replacements, are becoming common procedures. Physical therapy is essential to making sure your body successfully adapts to its new joint. You’ll benefit from supervised exercises that enhance joint mobility, strengthen supporting muscles, and assist a return to routine or favorite activities. Starting physical therapy right after surgery can markedly accelerate the healing process.
- Spine Surgery —
Spinal procedures, such as procedures like spinal fusion, require gentle care during recovery. Physical therapy plays a critical role in these cases by directing you through soft stretches and exercises that promote blood flow and incrementally reintroduce them to daily movements. This assists reduce discomfort and speeds up recovery.
- Tendon Repair —
Surgery to repair tendons is frequently needed for conditions including rotator cuff tears or injuries to the Achilles tendon. Physical therapists employ targeted exercises to restore strength and flexibility around the repaired tendon, ensuring a safe and successful recovery.
- Cartilage Repair —
Surgeries to repair cartilage, tackling issues like an ACL tear, necessitate specialized rehabilitation. Physical therapy aims at re-establishing joint function and mobility while taking care of the recently mended cartilage. Therapists utilize techniques that strengthen the surrounding muscles and enhance range of motion.
- Fracture Repair —
Fracture repair surgeries, whether in the limbs or advanced fractures, require careful rehabilitation. Physical therapy helps with recovering strength, movement capability, and pliability in the affected area.
- Heart Surgery —
Heart surgeries, such as procedures like bypass surgery, demand a comprehensive approach to recovery. Physical therapy occupies a vital role in warding off heart and lung complications by slowly reacquainting you to gentle monitored physical activity. This encourages overall health and reduces the duration of hospitalizations.
It’s important to recognize that each surgery is distinct, and the form of physical therapy needed may differ accordingly. Your Alton, IL physical therapist at Axes will create a collaborative effort with you and your surgeons to provide you a tailored treatment plan aimed at achieving back your freedom and getting you back to the hobbies you enjoy the most.
Contact Axes For Your Post-Surgical Rehabilitation in Alton, IL
Physical therapy is a pivotal component of achieving a smooth healing process in post-surgical rehabilitation. As you consider your after-operation journey in Alton, IL, we recommend you to move forward and emphasize your healing through physical therapy. Listed are the crucial steps to ensure a fruitful after surgery rehabilitation process:
- Consult with your surgical team or utilize direct access physical therapy to find out if physical therapy is right for your post-surgical rehabilitation
- Start post-surgical rehabilitation as soon as recommended after your surgery
- Adhere to your Alton, IL physical therapist’s recommendations
- Communicate with your physical therapist and express any concerns or questions you possess
- Acknowledge achievements by recognizing each achievement and advancement in your rehabilitation
- Get out there and get back to the activities you enjoy most
Your recovery journey is specific to your situation, and with Axes, your treatment plan will be tailored for your needs and founded on therapeutic methods backed by research to work. If you have any questions or if you wish to embark on your post-surgery rehabilitation, please feel free to get in touch with our experienced team of Alton, IL physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. Your health is our top priority, and we are excited to assisting you on your path to recovery. Contact us through our website or call the Axes location closest to you.